In the spring, we recommended Jim Beall over Joe Coto in the race for the newly formed District 15 seat in the California Senate. We're staying with Beall, largely because of Coto's ties to the insurance industry -- specifically the notorious Mercury Insurance -- and his lobbyist connections.

Beall is tucked firmly in bed with unions, and his newfound enthusiasm for pension reform is disingenuous. Coto would actually be better at pushing reform. But Beall has been an effective champion for health care reform and the safety net, particularly the foster care system. An independent vote on insurance issues will be important in the next legislative session.

In Senate District 13, which is mostly in San Mateo County, we enthusiastically recommend Assemblyman Jerry Hill. Hill has distinguished himself with both leadership and legislation in the wake of PG&E's San Bruno disaster, and he understands business issues important to Silicon Valley. He could become the valley's go-to guy in the Legislature. His opponent, former Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, would be better than either Coto or Beall, but she doesn't command the bipartisan respect Hill has in Sacramento.

It's indicative of Beall's weak record that he's running such a negative campaign against Coto. But the ethical charges he levels are mostly fair, if over-sensationalized. Beall is the safe vote in District 15, and Hill is the smart vote in District 13.